[Solved] Printer not activated Error Code 20

The error message “Printer not activated – Error Code 20” is displayed on the computer when printing. Before proceeding to the solution, please verify that the printer or all-in-one is working by printing a self-test page and also verify USB connectivity from the printer to the computer.

Getting Printer not activated Error Code – 20 while trying to save as PDF on Windows 10, 8.1 or 7. This is because the PDF Converter might not be able to read the activation code (activation code registry entry was not found). Some other users report after a Microsoft update, while tried printing an Adobe document and received the error message Printer not activated Error Code 20. That cause the error may be caused if the wrong printer is set as the default printer, the printer driver is missing, or if there are conflicts in the device manager. Here some applicable solutions to fix Printer not activated Error Code 20.

Fix Printer not activated Error Code 20

printer not activated error code 20

Set the Default Printer

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First, try to the printer as default printer, To do this open Control panel -> Click Hardware and Sound and then select Devices and Printers. Right-click on your printer and select Set as a default printer. Restart your PC to save changes.

Set the Default Printer

Tweak Registry to Fix printer not activated error code 20

Press Windows Key + R then type regedit and hit Enter to open Registry Editor. Now Navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG\Software

registry tweak to fix printer not activated error

Here Right-click on Software folder then select Permissions. Now in the permission window, ensure that Administrator and users have Full Control checked, if not then checkmark them.

assign full permission to everyone

Click Apply followed by OK, then Restart your PC to save changes and see if you’re able to fix the issue.

Grant Permission using PowerShell

Type powershell in Windows Search then right-click on PowerShell and select Run as Administrator. Now type the following command in PowerShell and hit Enter:

Run Printer Troubleshooter

Type “troubleshoot ” in Windows Search bar and click on Troubleshoot. Click on printer and run the troubleshooter as shown image below.

Run Printer troubleshooter

This will open the printer troubleshooter, Follow on-screen instruction and let the Printer Troubleshooter run. After that Restart your PC and you may be able to Fix Printer not activated Error Code 20.

Re-install the USB Composite Device from Device Manager

To do this Press windows + R, type devmgmt.msc and hit the enter key to open device manager. Then expand Universal Serial Bus Controllers, Right click USB Composite Device, click Uninstall, and then click OK.

uninstall USB Composite Device

Disconnect the printer USB cable from the computer and restart windows. Now Reconnect the printer USB cable, this will install the latest printer driver.

Right-click the printer icon, and then click Print Test Page to print a Windows self-test page. Close all windows and try printing from the application you were using before.